Miss-Delectable
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http://www.communitynewswire.press.net/article.jsp?id=425140
A Hampshire pensioner was today celebrating after her hearing dog was named the Rescue Dog of the Year following an incredible rags to riches story for the four-year-old Shih Tzu.
The Shih Tzu, Kenny, was one of the largest haul of animals ever rescued from a single house and was trained by the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf charity so he could get a fresh shot at life.
And the dedicated canine is now celebrating with his owner, 74-year-old Margaret Smith, who is profoundly deaf and lives in Portsmouth, after scooping a prestigious award from the charity who trained him.
Kenny and Margaret have been handed the Rescue Hearing Dog of the Year accolade by television sports presenter Mary Rhodes at an event at the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf's headquarters in Buckinghamshire.
The annual award is given in recognition of the fact that dogs that were once unwanted and cruelly treated can overcome their unfortunate start to become much-loved and invaluable assistants to their deaf owners.
In 2003 Kenny was rescued from a house in Cumbria with more than 240 other animals in one of the worst cases of neglect the RSPCA had ever seen.
Hearing Dogs assessed several of the dogs for their suitability for training, and Kenny - who was called Ernie - and his sister, Amber, were selected as they were very friendly despite the fact they had rarely had contact with humans.
Kenny's remarkable reversal of fortune continued when the Kennel Club Charitable Trust donated £5,000 to sponsor him through his training and for the entirety of his working life.
During his soundwork training Kenny's mischievous personality emerged and his trainer, Ben Sargeant, recalls some of his antics. He said: "Kenny used to love working to the alarm clock, and after jumping on the bed to wake me up, he would then hurl himself off the bed with enthusiasm like a lemming."
Just seven months after he was rescued Kenny was placed with Margaret and has made a huge difference to her life in the two years he has been with her.
The pinnacle of Kenny's career so far came earlier this year when he was invited by the Kennel Club to take part in the publicity launch for Crufts and he was even photographed sitting in the hallowed Best in Show trophy.
TV star Mary Rhodes, who also judged the category, said: "Kenny's story is one of courage and determination which would make many of us humans feel humble.
"He's clearly a spirited little chap. He had such an awful start in life but incredibly was still able to trust people.
"After being rescued from terrible conditions Kenny was 'reborn'. His name wasn't the only thing to change. From being a frightened little Ernie, he developed into a dog full of love and character.
"What makes this story so special is that Kenny has been able to bring about huge changes for his owner Margaret too. This is what Hearing Dogs is all about."
After collecting the award Margaret said: "Kenny and I are inseparable. We go everywhere together. He is my ears and alerts me when needed. He has given me new confidence and security in my life.
"Together we make a wonderful team. I give him all the love and security any dog could ever wish for and he tells me about all the sounds I need to know about."
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People selects and trains dogs to respond to specific sounds. The animals alert deaf people by touch, using a paw to gain attention and then lead them back to the sound source. For sounds such as the smoke alarm and fire alarm the dogs will lay down to indicate danger.
The charity provides a national service and no charge is made to recipients. A total of 74% of all hearing dogs adopted into the scheme are either rescued or unwanted and since its inception in 1982, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has placed more than 1,200 hearing dogs.
For more information about the work of the charity visit the website at www.hearing-dogs.co.uk
A Hampshire pensioner was today celebrating after her hearing dog was named the Rescue Dog of the Year following an incredible rags to riches story for the four-year-old Shih Tzu.
The Shih Tzu, Kenny, was one of the largest haul of animals ever rescued from a single house and was trained by the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf charity so he could get a fresh shot at life.
And the dedicated canine is now celebrating with his owner, 74-year-old Margaret Smith, who is profoundly deaf and lives in Portsmouth, after scooping a prestigious award from the charity who trained him.
Kenny and Margaret have been handed the Rescue Hearing Dog of the Year accolade by television sports presenter Mary Rhodes at an event at the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf's headquarters in Buckinghamshire.
The annual award is given in recognition of the fact that dogs that were once unwanted and cruelly treated can overcome their unfortunate start to become much-loved and invaluable assistants to their deaf owners.
In 2003 Kenny was rescued from a house in Cumbria with more than 240 other animals in one of the worst cases of neglect the RSPCA had ever seen.
Hearing Dogs assessed several of the dogs for their suitability for training, and Kenny - who was called Ernie - and his sister, Amber, were selected as they were very friendly despite the fact they had rarely had contact with humans.
Kenny's remarkable reversal of fortune continued when the Kennel Club Charitable Trust donated £5,000 to sponsor him through his training and for the entirety of his working life.
During his soundwork training Kenny's mischievous personality emerged and his trainer, Ben Sargeant, recalls some of his antics. He said: "Kenny used to love working to the alarm clock, and after jumping on the bed to wake me up, he would then hurl himself off the bed with enthusiasm like a lemming."
Just seven months after he was rescued Kenny was placed with Margaret and has made a huge difference to her life in the two years he has been with her.
The pinnacle of Kenny's career so far came earlier this year when he was invited by the Kennel Club to take part in the publicity launch for Crufts and he was even photographed sitting in the hallowed Best in Show trophy.
TV star Mary Rhodes, who also judged the category, said: "Kenny's story is one of courage and determination which would make many of us humans feel humble.
"He's clearly a spirited little chap. He had such an awful start in life but incredibly was still able to trust people.
"After being rescued from terrible conditions Kenny was 'reborn'. His name wasn't the only thing to change. From being a frightened little Ernie, he developed into a dog full of love and character.
"What makes this story so special is that Kenny has been able to bring about huge changes for his owner Margaret too. This is what Hearing Dogs is all about."
After collecting the award Margaret said: "Kenny and I are inseparable. We go everywhere together. He is my ears and alerts me when needed. He has given me new confidence and security in my life.
"Together we make a wonderful team. I give him all the love and security any dog could ever wish for and he tells me about all the sounds I need to know about."
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People selects and trains dogs to respond to specific sounds. The animals alert deaf people by touch, using a paw to gain attention and then lead them back to the sound source. For sounds such as the smoke alarm and fire alarm the dogs will lay down to indicate danger.
The charity provides a national service and no charge is made to recipients. A total of 74% of all hearing dogs adopted into the scheme are either rescued or unwanted and since its inception in 1982, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has placed more than 1,200 hearing dogs.
For more information about the work of the charity visit the website at www.hearing-dogs.co.uk